Voices from the Edge

About the program …

Community dialogue is important. At 8am every Thursday Voices from the Edge lends a KBOO microphone to informed guests you might not hear anywhere else. With an hour to invest, the call-in format engages listeners in meaningful conversations about crucial issues like racial disparity, government accountability, environmental justice and politics on local, state and national levels. Join lively discussions about concerns that are important to you and our community. Together we’ll make Oregon and our nation a better place for a larger number of those living here.

About the host …

Jo Ann Hardesty is Principal Partner at Consult Hardesty. She serves as a subject matter expert on a myriad of issues and is available as a speaker, facilitator and campaign planner. A long-time voice for Portland's under-represented communities and a leader in the struggle against racial and economic injustice, Jo Ann was three times elected to the Oregon legislature and for many years Executive Director of Oregon Action. She’s been called on by the City of Portland to help re-write the City Charter and organizes those on the downside of power to pursue their interests from the local to the federal level. She is particularly committed to leadership development and in holding those in power accountable.

Join the conversation …

Join the conversation every Thursday morning from 8-9 a.m. by calling 503-231-8187. Keep the conversation going after the program at our blog at kboo.fm/voicesfromtheedge.

Last week the Portland City Council approved the Portland Development Commission's Education Urban Renewal Plan "focused on expanding Portland State University as a leading engine of economic growth, prosperity and opportunity." The new urban renewal area will generate up to $169 million for investment in research facilities, "business accelerators," affordable housing and private development.

Daniel Suelo, the man who quit money

Twelve years ago, Daniel Suelo left his life savings - thirty dollars - inside a phone booth and walked away. Since then, he has lived - to all appearances sanely and even joyfully - without money, credit, barter, or government support, fulfilling what he sees as a vision of the good life inspired by the teachings of Jesus, the Buddha and others. Suelo sees his path as one that has allowed him to live an engaged life on the personal, social and spiritual level. What does his experience tell us about modern American life?

Occupying the economy with Richard D. Wolff

Three years into the government's announced recovery, working Americans find themselves poorer than when the recovery began. While the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression has exposed corrupt bankers, unregulated speculators and a government willing to serve the interests of the one percent regardless the cost, the wealthy continue to prosper. Economist Richard D. Wolff credits the occupy movement with exposing these symptoms of capitalism but believes we must go deeper to resolve the decades-old causes of the crisis, reaching back to the 1970s when a century-old pattern of rising wages for workers ended.

Blowing the lid off BP and other corporate criminals with Greg Palast

Last month, award-winning investigative journalist Greg Palast uncovered new evidence of a corporate-government cover-up in the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon blowout that destroyed lives and the environment in the Gulf of Mexico. In an investigation that includes travel to - and deportation from - the Islamic republic of Azerbaijan, Palast and his team uncovered evidence of a 2008 blowout of a BP Caspian Sea rig from the use of the same faulty cement cap that led to the Gulf disaster.

Finding justice in the Portland Harbor cleanup

Portland Harbor is the heavily industrialized portion of the Willamette River running north of downtown to Kelly's Point. Since it was listed as a Superfund site in 2000, cleaning up the toxins - ranging from heavy metals to pesticides - has been a source of contention between the city, state, industry and citizen groups. Now a "Portland Harbor Partnership" composed of government and industry representatives is moving towards a final plan for cleanup and future use of the area.

Sexual assault and homeless women: Addressing an ignored link

Women in an abusive relationship are often forced to choose between abuse at home or life on the streets. Demand far outstrips the supply of affordable housing or shelter space. A 2006 U.S. Conference of Mayors report found that 29 percent of shelter requests by homeless families were denied due to lack of resources. The link between domestic violence and homelessness is well documented. A recent study in Massachusetts found that 92 percent of homeless women had experience severe physical or sexual assault at some point in their life.

Most news stories of ICE raids on undocumented immigrants end with a headcount of people caught in the government's net. What's not seen on the evening news is the impact on communities where deportations tear families apart and create an environment of insecurity for those left behind. As deportations continue to occur in the Portland area, local communities are coming together to understand the issues driving these federal policies and to find solutions that are just and create true security.

Campbell, Martin, Brisette and Madison: Official violence against African American men

The Portland police officer who fatally shot Aaron Campbell was recently reinstated. Florida's State Attorney is being investigated for interference in the police investigation of the shooting death of Trayvon Martin by a neighborhood watch volunteer. Seven years after James Brissette and Ronald Madison were fatally shot by police officers from New Orlean's Danziger Bridge, the officers who pulled the triggers as well as those who covered up the killings have finally been convicted for their crimes.

What role should religion play in our politics?

Judging by the statements made by presidential candidates and the media pundits providing minute-by-minute analysis of their comments, Americans want more religion in their politics. But a new poll by Pew Research indicates that a growing number of Americans are concerned about the degree to which politicians and the media have inserted religion into political discourse.

This week Mayor Adams and other officials announced support for an "iconic" ten-lane bridge across the Columbia River.

What does the community really need?

Dave and JoAnne talked with members of the Third Bridge Now project about an alternative, they say relieves traffic congestion while preserving neighborhood livability and safety.

About the program…

Join co-hosts Jo Ann Bowman and Dave Mazza every Thursday morning as they bring you informative guests and lively discussions about the issues that are important to you and your community. Every week, Voices from the Edge provides KBOO listeners a place to engage in meaningful talk about racial disparity, government accountability, environmental justice, local and national politics, and other crucial issues of the day. Jo Ann and Dave bring you guests you won’t hear on other talk radio programs and conversation about making Oregon and the nation a better place.

About the hosts…

Jo Ann Bowman is a former Oregon state legislator, current executive director of Oregon Action and chair of Portland Community Media. Jo Ann is a long-time voice for Portland's under-represented communities and a leader in the struggle against racial and economic injustice.

Dave Mazza is a journalist and community activist. The former editor of The Portland Alliance newspaper has reported on and been involved in Portland's civil rights, peace, labor and environmental movements for 20 years. For more about Dave, visit www.davemazza.com.

Join the conversation…

Join the conversation every Thursday morning from 8-9 a.m. by calling 503-231-8187. Keep the conversation going after the program at our blog at kboo.fm/voicesfromtheedge.

This week on Voices from the Edge, Jo Ann and Dave looked at the good and bad news of the week. Topics discussed included: federal funds being made available to Oregon to address budget shortfalls and whether those dollars will reach the people who really are in need; the impact of the new president of the Portland Police Association; shortcomings and risks with new assistance being offered to homeowners facing foreclosure; and missed economic development opportunities in emerging technologies.

About the program…
Join co-hosts Jo Ann Bowman and Dave Mazza every Thursday morning as they bring you informative guests and lively discussions about the issues that are important to you and your community. Every week, Voices from the Edge provides KBOO listeners a place to engage in meaningful talk about racial disparity, government accountability, environmental justice, local and national politics, and other crucial issues of the day. Jo Ann and Dave bring you guests you won’t hear on other talk radio programs and conversation about making Oregon and the nation a better place.

About the hosts…
Jo Ann Bowman is a former Oregon state legislator, current executive director of Oregon Action and chair of Portland Community Media. Jo Ann is a long-time voice for Portland's under-represented communities and a leader in the struggle against racial and economic injustice.

Dave Mazza is a journalist and community activist. The former editor of The Portland Alliance newspaper has reported on and been involved in Portland's civil rights, peace, labor and environmental movements for 20 years. For more about Dave, visit www.davemazza.com.

Join the conversation…
Join the conversation every Thursday morning from 8-9 a.m. by calling 503-231-8187. Keep the conversation going after the program at our blog at kboo.fm/voicesfromtheedge.

Oregon House District 43 is one of the most diverse in the state. It also faces some of the biggest challenges: high unemployment, high rates of police misconduct, high displacement from gentrification.

This week Dave and Jo Ann talked with State Rep. Lew Frederick about what role the state can play in addressing some of these problems.

About the program…
Join co-hosts Jo Ann Bowman and Dave Mazza every Thursday morning as they bring you informative guests and lively discussions about the issues that are important to you and your community. Every week, Voices from the Edge provides KBOO listeners a place to engage in meaningful talk about racial disparity, government accountability, environmental justice, local and national politics, and other crucial issues of the day. Jo Ann and Dave bring you guests you won’t hear on other talk radio programs and conversation about making Oregon and the nation a better place.

About the hosts…
Jo Ann Bowman is a former Oregon state legislator, current executive director of Oregon Action and chair of Portland Community Media. Jo Ann is a long-time voice for Portland's under-represented communities and a leader in the struggle against racial and economic injustice.

Dave Mazza is a journalist and community activist. The former editor of The Portland Alliance newspaper has reported on and been involved in Portland's civil rights, peace, labor and environmental movements for 20 years. For more about Dave, visit www.davemazza.com.

Join the conversation…
Join the conversation every Thursday morning from 8-9 a.m. by calling 503-231-8187. Keep the conversation going after the program at our blog at kboo.fm/voicesfromtheedge.

This week on Voices from the Edge, Jo Ann and Dave ask the question "Are the good guys ahead?" Local progressive may be feeling a bit down over the direction of local and state politics lately. City Hall seems more disconnected than ever from the world in which most Portlanders live. Earlier this week, city council voted 4-1 (Commissioner Fritz abstaining) to put a new bond measure before voters for a new communications system and other equipment for the Fire Bureau. With so many city services taking hits - and at least on other proposed bond measure being put on hold because of the economy - should there have been a community discussion about whether this measure could wait? Oregon's gubernatorial race - "Doc vs. Jock" - is creating little light and even less heat as former Governor Kitzhaber talks about what he did and challenger Chris Dudley goes on a family outing rather than answers questions from the local media - all of this happening as Governor Kulogoski gets ready to leave his office and a $2 billion shortfall behind.

Join us as we look at these and other issues that make us ask "Are the good guys ahead?"

Next week on Voices from the Edge, Dave and Jo Ann speak with State Representative Lew Frederick (D-District 43) about the key issues in his northeast Portland district and his efforts to create greater police accountability.

About the program…

Join co-hosts Jo Ann Bowman and Dave Mazza every Thursday morning as they bring you informative guests and lively discussions about the issues that are important to you and your community. Every week, Voices from the Edge provides KBOO listeners a place to engage in meaningful talk about racial disparity, government accountability, environmental justice, local and national politics, and other crucial issues of the day. Jo Ann and Dave bring you guests you won’t hear on other talk radio programs and conversation about making Oregon and the nation a better place.

About the hosts…

Jo Ann Bowman is a former Oregon state legislator, current executive director of Oregon Action and chair of Portland Community Media. Jo Ann is a long-time voice for Portland's under-represented communities and a leader in the struggle against racial and economic injustice.

Dave Mazza is a journalist and community activist. The former editor of The Portland Alliance newspaper has reported on and been involved in Portland's civil rights, peace, labor and environmental movements for 20 years. For more about Dave, visit www.davemazza.com.

Join the conversation…

Join the conversation every Thursday morning from 8-9 a.m. by calling 503-231-8187. Keep the conversation going after the program at our blog at kboo.fm/voicesfromtheedge.

Portland City Councilvoted 3-2 this morning to let police unit commanders have a vote in certain cases before the new police review board. Does this make the new board "structurally flawed" or does it increase accountability as commissioners supporting the change claim? Voices from the Edge Hosts Dave Mazza and Jo Ann talk about this new development.

About the program…

Join co-hosts Jo Ann Bowman and Dave Mazza every Thursday morning as they bring you informative guests and lively discussions about the issues that are important to you and your community. Every week, Voices from the Edge provides KBOO listeners a place to engage in meaningful talk about racial disparity, government accountability, environmental justice, local and national politics, and other crucial issues of the day. Jo Ann and Dave bring you guests you won’t hear on other talk radio programs and conversation about making Oregon and the nation a better place.

About the hosts…

Jo Ann Bowman is a former Oregon state legislator, current executive director of Oregon Action and chair of Portland Community Media. Jo Ann is a long-time voice for Portland's under-represented communities and a leader in the struggle against racial and economic injustice.

Dave Mazza is a journalist and community activist. The former editor of The Portland Alliance newspaper has reported on and been involved in Portland's civil rights, peace, labor and environmental movements for 20 years. For more about Dave, visit www.davemazza.com.

Join the conversation…

Join the conversation every Thursday morning from 8-9 a.m. by calling 503-231-8187. Keep the conversation going after the program at our blog at kboo.fm/voicesfromtheedge.

Dave Mazza talks with Justice Betty Roberts, the first woman to serve on Oregon's supreme court, about the Kagan nominations hearings and about her newly released memoir "With Grit and By Grace."

About the program…

Join co-hosts Jo Ann Bowman and Dave Mazza every Thursday morning as they bring you informative guests and lively discussions about the issues that are important to you and your community. Every week, Voices from the Edge provides KBOO listeners a place to engage in meaningful talk about racial disparity, government accountability, environmental justice, local and national politics, and other crucial issues of the day. Jo Ann and Dave bring you guests you won’t hear on other talk radio programs and conversation about making Oregon and the nation a better place.

About the hosts…

Jo Ann Bowman is a former Oregon state legislator, current executive director of Oregon Action and chair of Portland Community Media. Jo Ann is a long-time voice for Portland's under-represented communities and a leader in the struggle against racial and economic injustice.

Dave Mazza is a journalist and community activist. The former editor of The Portland Alliance newspaper has reported on and been involved in Portland's civil rights, peace, labor and environmental movements for 20 years. For more about Dave, visit www.davemazza.com.

Join the conversation…

Join the conversation every Thursday morning from 8-9 a.m. by calling 503-231-8187. Keep the conversation going after the program at our blog at kboo.fm/voicesfromtheedge.

Join co-hosts Jo Ann Bowman and Dave Mazza every Thursday morning as they bring you informative guests and lively discussions about the issues that are important to you and your community. Every week, Voices from the Edge provides KBOO listeners a place to engage in meaningful talk about racial disparity, government accountability, environmental justice, local and national politics, and other crucial issues of the day. Jo Ann and Dave bring you guests you won’t hear on other talk radio programs and conversation about making Oregon and the nation a better place.

About the hosts…

Jo Ann Bowman is a former Oregon state legislator, current executive director of Oregon Action and chair of Portland Community Media. Jo Ann is a long-time voice for Portland's under-represented communities and a leader in the struggle against racial and economic injustice.

Dave Mazza is a journalist and community activist. The former editor of The Portland Alliance newspaper has reported on and been involved in Portland's civil rights, peace, labor and environmental movements for 20 years. For more about Dave, visit www.davemazza.com.

Join the conversation…

Join the conversation every Thursday morning from 8-9 a.m. by calling 503-231-8187. Keep the conversation going after the program at our blog at kboo.fm/voicesfromtheedge.

Join co-hosts Jo Ann Bowman and Dave Mazza every Thursday morning as they bring you informative guests and lively discussions about the issues that are important to you and your community. Every week, Voices from the Edge provides KBOO listeners a place to engage in meaningful talk about racial disparity, government accountability, environmental justice, local and national politics, and other crucial issues of the day. Jo Ann and Dave bring you guests you won’t hear on other talk radio programs and conversation about making Oregon and the nation a better place.

About the hosts…

Jo Ann Bowman is a former Oregon state legislator, current executive director of Oregon Action and chair of Portland Community Media. Jo Ann is a long-time voice for Portland's under-represented communities and a leader in the struggle against racial and economic injustice.

Dave Mazza is a journalist and community activist. The former editor of The Portland Alliance newspaper has reported on and been involved in Portland's civil rights, peace, labor and environmental movements for 20 years. For more about Dave, visit www.davemazza.com

Join the conversation…

Join the conversation every Thursday morning from 8-9 a.m. by calling 503-231-8187. Keep the conversation going after the program at our blog at kboo.fm/voicesfromtheedge

Should Portland Police officers Ronald Frashour, Chris Humphreys and others involved in the death of Portland residents in recent years be fired immediately? Should mandatory arbitration be removed from the Portland Police Association contract? Should contract negotiations with the association be conducted under public scrutiny? These are just some of the demands that will be made at a demonstration sponsored by the Fire Frashour Campaign at 4 p.m. this Friday, June 11, at City Hall. Jo Ann and Dave talk with Sara Libby of Rose City Copwatch about the upcoming demonstration and the organization's "Fire Frashour" campaign.

Jo Ann Bowman is a former state legislator, former executive director of Oregon Action, and a long-time leader in the struggle for racial and economic justice. Dave Mazza is a freelance journalist and former editor of The Portland Alliance who has covered and been involved in Portland's civil rights, peace, labor and environmental movements for 20 years.

Join Jo Ann and Dave every Thursday as they bring you guests and discussion of issues important to you. Support programming like Voices from the Edge by becoming a member of KBOO today.

About the program…
Join co-hosts Jo Ann Bowman and Dave Mazza every Thursday morning as they bring you informative guests and lively discussions about the issues that are important to you and your community. Every week, Voices from the Edge provides KBOO listeners a place to engage in meaningful talk about racial disparity, government accountability, environmental justice, local and national politics, and other crucial issues of the day. Jo Ann and Dave bring you guests you won’t hear on other talk radio programs and conversation about making Oregon and the nation a better place.

About the hosts…
Jo Ann Bowman is a former Oregon State legislator, current executive director of Oregon Action and chair of Portland Community Media. Jo Ann is a long-time voice for Portland's under-represented communities and a leader in the struggle against racial and economic injustice.

Dave Mazza is a journalist and community activist. The former editor of The Portland Alliance newspaper has reported on and been involved in Portland's civil rights, peace, labor and environmental movements for 20 years. For more about Dave, visit davemazza.com.

Join the conversation…
Join the conversation every Thursday morning from 8-9 a.m. by calling 503-231-8187. Keep the conversation going after the program at our blog at kboo.fm/voicesfromtheedge.

Comments

I just wanted to post a link to an article about the foreclosure mills that make money off of the forsclosure mess. http://motherjones.com/politics/2010/07/david-stern-djsp-foreclosure-fannie-freddie?page=1

I did not hear an apology for you making a blatant distortion of my comment. I do not appreciate being lied about and especially by a campaign which you obviously are supporting which hypocritically poses as the moral arbitrator of the Universe regarding truth telling.

Again, let me clarify:

First off, I did not say, as was falsely stated by you and your guest, that politicians have a right to lie. I stated that everyone has a right to lie about their love life. That is a vastly different point and I bitterly resent being lied about on this.

This distortion (lie) by your guest and you is sadly emblematic of the hyperbolic nature of this entire pesudo-moralistic campaign.

I will receive your apology before I ever again associate with you or this program.

Will again and please correct your slander of me and misstatement of my comment.

First off, I did not say, as was falsely stated by JoAnn and your caller, that politicians have a right to lie. I stated that everyone has a right to lie about their love life. That is a vastly different point and I bitterly resent being lied about on this.

This distortion (lie) by your guest and JoAnn is emblematic of the hyperbolic nature of this entire pesudo-moralistic campaign.

It is a fact that Republicans involved in this are using this as an organizing tool. It is a fact that this campaign is making common-cause with anti-progressive forces.

It is this campaign that is the divisive force in our community.

This signature campaign is the darling of the right wing. This campaign is the best thing that has happened to the Multnomah Co. Republican Party since Theodore Roosevelt.

If this is about negative campaigning- WHY IS THIS SUCH A THOROUGLY NEGATIVE CAMPGAIGN. IT REDUCES POLITICAL DIALOG TO THE LEVEL OF A GRAMMER SCHOOL PLAYGROUND.

I agree, Peter. This article is germane: One outcome of Professor Gate’s arrest should be an understanding that “What lends legitimacy (to our legal system) is our belief that the police are dutiful servants of the people — not their arbitrary oppressors.”

The Declaration of Independence promptly asserts “… Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the consent of the governed.”

'Know Your Rights' training is imperative, as a 'check and balance' against unwarranted interference with the intent of the U.S. Constitution. An informed citizenry is a Public Good. Vigilance against abuse of power is actually a civic responsibility.

I know first-hand a tendency by Portland police to escalate situations that might be otherwise resolved. I have only an inkling of the mental pressures involved in policing, and but a dim suspicion as to the social handicaps that come with wielding weapons, spending so much time in the milieu of antisocial behavior, of having a community grant your uniformed subgroup status as The Enforcers. I would suspect such pressure, status and lethal equipment make it difficult to appreciate a role of Servant of the People.

Do you know what the common ground may be?

Law enforcement.

How can we change our dialogue so that a person of color, being thrown up against chain link fence – sometimes even without a pretext of wrongdoing – has standing when there is no probable cause that a crime is being committed?

By advocating that police actions adhere to Constitutional provisions for freedom from unwarranted search, to be secure in their possessions; would not this citizen also be involved in law enforcement?

One really ironic point I failed to make on the program is that, from the time of Chief Kroeker onward, it has likely been in the consciousness of Portland Police Bureau command that racial profiling actually inhibits criminal detection and prosecution. Simply the perception of police misconduct reduces the quality of public cooperation. One of the results of racial bias is that it is more difficult to secure leads and eventual witness testimony from a disenfranchised, victimized population of law-abiding citizens.

I suggest there will be a real reduction in crime (due to citizen cooperation) when and if policing is seen to be done lawfully. If it were a shared perception that people who oppose the immoral, unethical and illegal practice of racial profiling had merit as Constitutional law enforcers, I would think this a positive dynamic … and not just for people of color, but other negatively affected groups like the mentally ill, for whom self-advocacy is a supreme challenge.

Let us fuse training and dialogue. You mention the ‘well-trained cop.’ Perhaps ‘Know Your Rights’ training (and Oregon Action training includes de-escalation strategies) might dovetail with Portland Police Bureau training. What would be achieved if police training alerted officers that a segment of the population - fatigued by unconstitutional behavior - will be advocating for just and equitable treatment?

If that segment of the population included Police Commissioner Saltzman, Human Rights Commissioner Fritz, City Auditor Griffin-Valade and Mayor Adams, I think the Police union would find impetus to engage in negotiations for a means to weed out officers refusing to enforce the Constitution, state law, or bureau regulations.

To take up your point about police as public servants, the Auditor’s Independent Police Review Board is poised to actually adopt that frame of reference. Currently specializing in facts and figures, there is a component of their reporting primed and ready for public pressure to make this a prime frame of reference for assessing the Police Bureau’s functionality.

Perhaps better left for another blog, I just want you to know that civilian oversight of armed government activity is imperative as the nation pursues a War on Terror. If the City of Portland were to weigh in on fundamental human rights during the nation’s general expansion of police powers, it stands likely to do a Public Good that cannot now be calculated.

On this morning's (June 18) program Joann mentioned a man (I think she said "young" and "minority" )who is becomming active in environmental matters, I would like to talk with him about joining the planning and implementation of an event that is scheduled to take place on October 24th.

I am a member ot the Peace and Social Concerns Committee of the Multnomah Monthly Meeting of Friends (Quakers), and the organizer of a sub-group called "Global Coolers". We meet monthly and have taken the responsibility of informing the Meeting about global warming and involving them in efforts to lessen our individual and collective destructive impact on the planet.We have also hosted a couple of community events over the past several years.
Yesterday I learned that Bill McKibben, who is a leading activist in the environmental protection movement, is organizing a world-wide demonstration to take place on October 24: it is described on 350.org.
I want to make sure that Portland participates in this event.
I have not talked yet to other environmental activists about involvement (there may already be plans afoot) but I will do so in the next couple of days. In any case I will welcome all participants in the planning and execution of the event. My telephone number is 503-292-1817.
Thank you for your attention.
Peace, Jim

I was disturbed to hear this morning information that leads me to think I did not check out the ballot measures carefully enough. As an intelligent conservative, I find it both important and difficult to listen to KBOO and other left-of-center sources regularly, and the comments this morning made it clear that I should invest more energy into that effort.

On the other hand, I was a bit amused (and relieved of my nascent guilt) when I heard you adamantly insist that Measure 53 passed by a 76-24 margin because a day-old paper said so. It is possible that the Oregonian was that far off the mark - if so, I would assume that it was an early edition which showed very preliminary results. I went to three sources this morning of which two gave vote tallies. KATU.com indicates that as of 8am today the vote on 53 was YES 475,838 and NO 473,912 which is a margin of less than 2000 votes out of nearly 1 million. Rounded to the nearest percent, the vote is 50-50. KOIN.com had very similar (probably identical) numbers.

So I figure that if you let your personal opinions cloud such simple and easily ascertained facts, if you are so closed-minded that you will not double-check this when it is disputed, I need not concern myself with your judgment on the more complex issue of Measure 53 itself.